introduction to ergonomics · 8/10/2019 · ppt 10-hr. general industry – ergonomics v.03.01.17...

PPT 10-hr. General Industry – Ergonomics v.03.01.171

Created by OTIEC Outreach Resources Workgroup

Introduction to Ergonomics

10-hour General Industry Outreach Training



IntroductionLesson objectives:1. Identify common work-related

musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).2. Recognize risk factors associated with

work-related MSDs.3. Identify ergonomic control methods for

eliminating/reducing work-related MSDs.



Introduction

This chart shows how MSDs compare to other hazards based on percentage of injuries and illnesses using statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, FY2014.



Introduction

This chart shows the incident rates of musculoskeletal disorders for selected private sector industries. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics



IntroductionErgonomics

“The scientific discipline concerned with understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, methods and data to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”



IntroductionErgonomics means “fitting the job to the worker,” including:• Work stations• Tools• Equipment

Ergo = WorkNomos = Law



Introduction

Why is ergonomics important?• Overexertion leading cause of injuries

– Most costly – Recurring/Persistent pain may develop in

future• Bodily reaction is another leading cause

of injuries in workplace• Repetitive motion also within top 10

most common workplace injuries



Common Work-Related MSDs

− Discomfort− Pain− Numbness− Loss of motion/flexibility− Spasticity− Stiff joints

− Burning− Swelling− Tingling− Inflammation− Throbbing− Paralysis

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) • Affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels,

ligaments, and tendons• Symptoms



Common Work-Related MSDs• Common MSD disorders:

– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome– Tennis Elbow– Bursitis– Ischemia– De Quervain’s– Sciatica– Herniated Discs– Neck strain/disability– Tendinitis

– Rotator Cuff– Neuritis– Reynaud’s Syndrome– Trigger Finger– Thoracic Outlet

Syndrome– Epicondylitis– Back strain/disability



Most commonly affected areas:• Back• Arms, Elbows,

and Shoulders• Neck• Hands, Wrists,

and Fingers• Knees, Ankles,

and Feet


This chart shows a distribution of injuries and illnesses to body parts due to MSDs using statistics from the Bureau of LaborStatistics, FY2014.



Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics


Highest rate of missed daysHighest incident rate



Risk Factors Associated with MSDs

Risk factors of MSD injuries:• Dependent upon:

– Work positions and postures– How often task is performed– Level of required effort and duration of task



Risk Factors Associated with MSDs• Examples of risk factors include:

– Exerting excessive force• Lifting heavy objects/people• Pushing or pulling heavy loads• Manual pouring materials• Maintaining control of equipment

or tools– Performing same/similar tasks

repetitivelySource: OSHA



Risk Factors Associated with MSDs– Working in awkward postures or

same postures for long periods• Prolonged/repetitive reaching above

shoulder height• Kneeling• Squatting• Leaning over a counter/bending• Using a knife with wrists bent• Twisting the torso while lifting

– Localized pressure into the body part• Pressing the body/part of the body against

hard or sharp edges• Using the hand as a hammer

Source: OSHA



Risk Factors Associated with MSDs

– Cold temperatures (in combination with other risk factors)

– Vibration• Whole body• Hand-arm

– Combined exposure to several risk factors

Source of graphics: OSHA



Methods of protecting against MSDs:• Establish ergonomics program

– Training– Feedback from all levels

• Conduct job hazard analysis (JHAs)• Early recognition and reporting of

potential MSDs

Ergonomic Control Methods



Job Hazard AnalysisTasks Hazards Controls

This table provides an example of a tool that can be used when conducting a job hazard analysis. The first column provides a list of tasks performed by a job; the middle column is provided for listing identified hazards; and, the third column provides a list of controls that can be used to mitigate the hazards.




• Examples of engineering controls– Work station design and setup– Ergonomically designed tools– Ergonomically designed equipment– Load weight reduction

Source: OSHA (International Labor Organization)




• Examples of proper work practices:– Proper lifting techniques (NIOSH)– Team lift heavy/bulky/awkward loads– Stretch– Work rotation– Task variety– Increase rest breaks






• Examples of PPE:– Gripping gloves– Knee pads– Vibration gloves– Thermal gloves– Lifting straps– Shoulder harness– Lifting braces





Physical ergonomic hazards and solutions:• Reaching above the head/shoulders - hazards

– Working with the hands above head for more than 2 hours per day





– Working with the elbows above shoulders for more than 2 hours per day




• Reaching above the head/shoulders - solutions– Keep items within close reach – Elevate work areas

Source: OSHASource: NIOSH Source: NIOSH




• Reaching above the head/shoulders - solutions– Remove obstacles– Utilize equipment to raise and

lower items or move items closer to worker

Source: NIOSHSource: OSHA Source: OSHA





• Awkward body postures - hazards– Working with the neck or back bent forward

more than 30° for more than 2 hours per day




– Squatting for more than 2 hours per day





Source: OSHA

– Kneeling for more than 2 hours per day




• Awkward body postures - solutions– Raise and/or tilt the work for better access– Use a stool for ground-level work

Source: NIOSH

Source: OSHA

Source: OSHA




• Awkward body postures - solutions– Use tools with longer handles– Alternate between bending, kneeling, sitting,

and squatting

Source: NIOSHSource: OSHA Source: OSHA




• Awkward grips - hazards– Gripping 10 or more pounds or

force for 2 or more hours per day





• Awkward grips - hazards– Pinching 2 or more pounds of weight or 4 or more

pounds of force for 2 or more hours per day





• Awkward grips - solutions– Design work layout to reduce hand-carrying– Reduce amount of items carried at one time– Use non-pinch grip postures – Use ergonomically designed tools/aids– Use job/task rotation


“C” shaped posture




• Repetitive motions - hazards– Repeating same motion for more than two

hours per day with hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, or neck

Source: OSHA




• Repetitive motions - hazards– Intense keying for more than 4 hours per day

Source: OSHA




• Repetitive motions - solutions– Arrange work to avoid unnecessary motions– Let power tools and machinery do the work– Spread repetitive work out during the day– Take stretch pauses– Rotate task with co-workers if possible– Change hands or motions frequently





• Localized pressure on body part - hazards– Pressing the body/part of the body against

hard or sharp edges– Standing/kneeling for prolonged periods on

hard surfaces– Using tools with hard handle surfaces or

short handles





• Localized pressure on body part - hazards– Using hands/knees as a hammer more than 10 times

in 1 hour or more than 2 times per day (long-term)





• Localized pressure on body part - solutions– Use tools with longer handles– Use tools with padded grips– Alternate between bending, kneeling, sitting,

and squatting; use sit/stand stools or tables





• Localized pressure on body part - solutions– Pad table edges or use tables/desktops with

rounded edges– Use wrist rests, anti-fatigue mats,

knee pads, shoe inserts or other items that reduce stress on body parts





• Lifting objects - hazards– Lifting more than

• 75 lbs. once/day• 55 lbs. ten times/day• 10 lbs. more than twice/minute or

for more than 2 hours/day• 25 lbs. above shoulders, below knees,

or at arms length more than 25 times/day





• Lifting objects - hazards– Heavy, frequent, and awkward lifting





• Lifting - solutions– Managing for safer lifting

• Plan lifts• Minimize lifting distances• Position materials to power zone levels• Avoid manually lifting/lowering loads

to/from floor• Identify/reduce unstable or heavy

loads• Reduce frequency of lifting and

duration of lifting tasks• Provide clear access

Source of graphics: NIOSH




• Lifting - solutions– Employee guidelines for safer lifting

• Stretch before lifting• Check for tags on loads• Test load for stability and weight• Plan the lift• Use proper lifting techniques –

grip; two hands; smooth, even motions; load close to body; legs to push up and lift load; avoid twisting; alternate with less physically demanding tasks; rest breaks

• Get assistance when necessarySource of graphics: OSHA




• Lifting - solutions– Use proper lifting techniques

Source: NIOSH

Keep the load close to your body and lift by pushing up with your legs.

Caution: This technique may be effective only if loads are small, light-weight, and can easily fit between the knees.




• Lifting - solutions– Use proper lifting techniques

Lean the sack onto your kneeling leg.

Slide the sack up onto your

kneeling leg.

Slide the sack onto the other leg while

keeping the sack close to your body.

As you stand up, keep the sack close to your body.

Source: NIOSH




Vibration – hazards• Moderate – more than 2 hours per day• High – more than 30 minutes per day• Prolonged





Vibration – solutions• Use low-vibration tools and devices that may

reduce vibration (tool balancers, extension handles, vibration isolators, damping techniques)

• Adequate rest periods• Rotate jobs• Maintenance• PPE





Ergonomic Control MethodsEnvironmental ergonomic hazards:• Amplify/increase risk of MSDs• Examples

– Hot weather– Cold weather – affects worker coordination and

dexterity– High-temperature indoor (steam rooms, attics)– Cold-temperature indoor (walk-in freezers, cold

process rooms)– Low visibility



Employer/Employee Requirements

General Duty Clause • Each Employer:

1. Shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;

2. Shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.

• Each Employee:1. Shall comply with occupational safety and health standards

and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.



Report signs or symptoms if:• Pain is persistent, severe or worsening• Pain radiates• Symptoms include numbness or tingling• Symptoms keep you from sleeping at night• Fingers blanch or turning white

Employee/Employer Requirements



Getting involved:• Look at jobs• Come up with solutions• Work with solutions• Take part in training• Take responsibility for changing the way

you do your job• Help to make sure efforts are successful

Employee/Employer Requirements



Five Key Points to Remember

• Ergonomics can help you on your job• WMSDs can happen in jobs with risk factors• Risk factors can be reduced and WMSDs

prevented• Reporting signs and symptoms early is

important• You can help your company put ergonomics

changes into place



Knowledge Check1. Ergonomics is the science of ___.

a. designing the job to fit the workerb. fitting the worker to the jobc. lifting injuriesd. safety and health

Answer: a. designing the job to fit the worker



Knowledge Check2. MSDs account for approximately ___

of all injuries and illnesses.a. 1%b. 10%c. 33%d. 54%

Answer: c. 33%



Knowledge Check3. Which of the following is an example

of an ergonomic risk factor?a. Neutral postures b. Restc. Repetition d. Personal protective equipment

Answer: c. Repetition



Knowledge Check4. Ergonomic hazards can be prevented or

reduced by which of the following control methods?a. Engineering controlsb. Proper work practices/administrative

controlsc. Personal protective equipmentd. All of the above

Answer: d. All of the above



What questions do you have?

Thank You

introduction to ergonomics · 8/10/2019 · ppt 10-hr. general industry – ergonomics v.03.01.17...

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